[0001] This invention relates to console assemblies where display areas are required to
be viewable and/or accessible by a person requiring information and/or to effect control.
The term "display area" includes areas which can accommodate both output displays
(for example instruments or screens) and input displays (for example switches or buttons).
Naturally, the former require only to be viewable whilst the latter require to be
accessible as well.
[0002] In some situations, it is unnecessary or undesirable to have a permanently presented
display area and thus some form of temporarily presented display must be used. In
others., a permanently presented display area is necessary, but the area available
is insufficient making some form of temporarily presented display area necessary.
[0003] The former case is exemplified by an aircraft maintenance station where a display
area is required to be readily viewed and/or accessed only when the aircraft is on
the ground and after use must take up as little space as possible. It certainly must
not protrude from the aircraft contour. Thus, one object of the invention is to provide
a display console in which a display area can be temporarily presented for viewing
and/or access and which after use can be stowed away.
[0004] The latter case is exemplified by an aircraft cockpit or flight deck where it is
necessary and usual to have a permanently presented display area but where it is often
desirable to have an extra display area temporarily available since the area available
for a permanently presented display is strictly limited. Situations where the availability
of temporary extra area is useful are where the display area is used at certain times
only, for example in aircraft where certain checks must be made before flight or post
flight, or in an emergency where the permanently presented display fails and a temporarily
presented display can provide sufficient data to enable the aircraft to be flown home.
[0005] Hitherto, such extra display areas have encroached upon those permanently presented
with attendant crowding making all the displays difficult to read and access.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is thus to provide a display console in
which a temporary display area can be presented when necessary, or when desired but
which, when not so presented, does not significantly encroach on that area available
for the permanent display.
[0007] Yet a further objective is to provide a display console which presents a permanent
display area with a temporary display area which is not only readily available for
use, for example in an emergency, but also can be readily stowed after use. Moreover,
it can lie in front of the permanently presented display area during such use.
[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a console assembly arranged to present
a display area to a person requiring information and/or to effect control includes
a fixed structure, a movable panel having a face region and an edge region, the edge
region being of substantially less area than the face region, mounting means mounting
the movable panel on the fixed structure for movement between a stowed position in
which only the edge region is directed for presentation to a display position in which
the face region is presented, thereby providing a temporary display area.
[0009] Preferably, the mounting means includes guideway means carried by the fixed structure,
carriage means permanently engaging said guideway for back and forth movement with
respect to the fixed structure, and pivot means connecting the movable panel to the
carriage means such that during movement from the stowed to the display position,
the movable panel initially moves bodily with the carriage means and subsequently
swings with respect to the carriage means and vice versa.
[0010] One embodiment of a console according to the present invention is described by way
of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a front view of part of a console assembly suitable for an aircraft cockpit,
Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a front view similar to that of Figure 1 but in a different condition,
Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3,
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of the region of box V of Figure 1,
Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 5,
Figures 7, (1) through (8) illustrate sequencing of the details of Figure 5,
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate output, that is to say information displays of one embodiment,
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate input, that is to say control displays of another embodiment,
and
Figure 12 is an isometric view of part of a console assembly.
[0011] In the Figures, a console assembly for an aircraft cockpit has a fixed structure
permanently presenting a display area 1. As can be seen, there is insufficient permanent
display area available to present any further displays without unduly encroaching
upon the permanently presented display area. Any such encroachment with attendant
crowding would make all the displays difficult to read and access.
[0012] Accordingly, a temporarily presented display area is provided. For the purposes of
illustration this is shown with diagonal shading. The temporarily presented display
area is carried upon a movable panel 2 having a relatively large face region 3 of
rectangular form and a relatively small edge region 4 also of rectangular form. The
edge region 4 is, for example, only about one-third or less than the area of the face
region 3. The actual ratio depends upon the choice of the designer who would take
into account such factors as the thickness of the panel necessary to accommodate information
displays such as known liquid crystal, light emitting diodes and similar devices and/or
control displays such as keys and buttons, the area necessary for temporary display
and stowage, and also the necessity of utilizing the extra display area available
on the edge region 4. By way of example, Figures 1 to 4 show the edge region 4 as
only one-tenth of the area of the face region 2, whilst Figures 8 - 10 show the ratio
as being about one-sixth, and Figure 11 shows the ratio as about one-third. Irrespectively,
a useful saving in display area is made.
[0013] Mounting means shown only generally in Figures 1 - 4 but in some detail in Figures
5 - 7 and 12 are provided so that in a stowed position (Figures 1 and 2, and in hard
outline in Figure 12) only the edge region 4 is presented. Thus, the console assembly
requires the allocation of only a relatively small area of the permanently presented
display for the movable panel since it lies edgewise to the direction of presentation.
In the stowed position, the movable panel 2 is housed within a recess 5 formed in
the fixed structure, the recess having a mouth 6 formed in the permanently displayed
area.
[0014] The mounting means are further arranged such that the movable panel 2 can be moved
from the stowed position to the presented position in which its face 3 is presented.
(Figures 3 and 4 and in broken outline in Figure 12). In this latter position, the
movable panel swings to overlay a large portion of the permanently displayed area.
[0015] With particular reference to Figure 12, the mounting means comprise carriage means
formed by a hinge mounting member 7 of box-like form being conveniently the same width
and depth as the movable panel itself. Extending forwardly from the member 7 are spaced
arms 8 carrying spigots 9 which form a hinge about which the movable panel can swing
about a transverse axis X - X.
[0016] The hinge mounting member 7 is carried within the recess and constrained to move
to and fro therein by means of fore-and-aft extending guide channels 10. The guide
channels 10 lie on opposite sides of the recess and are carried by the fixed structure.
To prevent the hinge mounting member 7 from being withdrawn from the mouth of the
recess, further opposed channel members 11 are provided on the channels 10. Into these
channels 11 protrude outwardly directed spigots 12 on the member 7 which, when the
member 7 approaches the recess mouth, engage stops 13 provided at the outer ends of
the channels.
[0017] The movable panel is formed with spaced arms 14 which connect the panel to the hinge
spigots 9 (only one is shown in Figure
12 for simplicity). These arms are formed with an arcuate track with detent notches
15 and 16 respectively set. at about 90
0 to one another. The mounting member carries cantilever springs 17 which engage one
or other of the notches; if that referenced 15 is engaged, then the movable panel
is held in tandem alignment with the mounting member so that entering, exiting and
stowage within the recess can be accomplished; and when that referenced 16 is engaged
the movable panel is held at about 90
0 to the hinge mounting member for presentation in the displayed position. Naturally,
the movable panel is only able to be rotated angularly when fully out of the recess.
To ensure locking and release from the stowed position, a suitable mechanism is provided.
This is particularly described with reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7. Each side face
of the hinge mounting member 7 carries a lever arm 19 pivoted at one end 20 about
a transverse axis, so that it lies alongside its associated side face. At its further
end, each arm 19 carries a transversely extending spigot 21 which is arranged to engage
with cam surfaces (to be described) formed upon a cam member 22 fixedly carried by
adjacent fixed structure. The arm is spring-biassed to a median position (Figure 5).
Moreover, the mounting member 7 is spring-biassed outwardly, that is to say towards
the presented display position.
[0018] Operation is described with reference to the various sub figures of Figure 7. Figure
7 (1) shows the spigots 21 in a position in which the movable panel 2 is unlocked
and can be withdrawn sufficiently from the recess to allow it to swing about its hinged
axis X - X and adopt the presentation position of Figures 3 and 4. Urging the movable
panel toward the stowed position, that is to say by swinging it upwards about its
hinged axis X - X so that it is in alignment with the hinge mounting member 7 and
then applying an inward pressure, forces the spigots 21 to ride down a surface 23
of the cam member 22 (Figure 7 (ii)) and thereby bias the lever arms 19 anti-clockwise
as drawn. Further inward movement allows the lever arms 19 to urge their spigots into
a locking notch region 24 of the cam member as illustrated in Figure 5 and also in
Figure 7 (iii), in which the movable panel is locked in the stowed position.
[0019] Further inward urging of the movable panel against its spring bias causes the spigot
21 to ride down a further cam surface 25 on the cam member 22 (Figure 7 (iv)) to reach
a maximum depression of the lever arms 19 against their spring bias (Figure 7 (v))
after which the spigots allow the lever arms to swing clockwise (Figure 7 (vi)). On
removal of the force effecting inward urging of the panel member, the biassing spring
positively urges the panel member in an outward direction, the spigots 21 riding up
yet a further cam surface 26 on the cam member until the position of Figure 7 (vii)
is reached. Subsequently, the position of Figure 7 (viii), which is similar to Figure
7 (i), is adopted where the panel member can be withdrawn into the presentation position.
[0020] Figure 8 illustrates a movable panel display area suitable for a military aircraft,
sufficient information being presented on the major face 3 to allow a pilot to bring
the aircraft safely home in the event of a failure of the permanently presented display.
Presented are indications of air speed, altitude, engine RPM, rate of climb/descent
and fuel remaining.
[0021] Figure 9 illustrates an optional extra; in order to give a pilot or other operator
confidence that the stowed display of the movable panel is functioning without needing
to withdraw it, a further display of information is provided on the edge region 4.
Conveniently, this provides the same information as the display on face 3 but in abbreviated
digital form. Since it is on the edge region 4, it is displayed when the movable panel
is in the stowed position.
[0022] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate alternative displays in which on the large face region
3 are provided push buttons 30 for control or calculation inputs. Again, on the small
face region 4 a further display is provided giving an indication of the state of certain
systems controlable by the display on the face region 3.
[0023] Naturally, flexible cables or other suitable connections connect the display areas
with information sources and/or systems in the aircraft proper. Where the movable
panel provides a emergency get-you-home information panel, they are connected with
information sources which are separate from those supplying the permanently presented
displays.
[0024] Although described particularly with respect to aircraft, the invention has far wider
uses and has utilization wherever information and/or control displays are required
to be presented only temporarily. In the aircraft embodiment, it is found that the
invention has utility, particularly but not exclusively, wherever space for display
is at a premium. As previously discussed, this can be in an aircraft cockpit, where
the permanent display can malfunction and the temporary display of the invention can
provide standby information sufficient to get the aircraft home. It also has utility
where some displays need to be temporarily presented, for example to provide checks
at certain times. Furthermore, the temporary display of the invention has use in aircraft
maintenance bays where checks must be made but easy access to the display is otherwise
precluded.
1. A console assembly arranged to present a display area including a fixed structure,
a movable panel (2) having a face region (3) and an edge region (4), the edge region
(4) being of substantially less area than the face region (3), mounting means (7,
10) mounting the movable panel (2) on the fixed structure for movement between a stowed
position in which only the edge region (4) is directed for presentation to a display
position in which its face region (3) is presented, thereby providing a temporary
display area.
2. A console assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the mounting means (7, 10) includes
guideway means (10) carried by the fixed structure, carriage means (7) permanently
engaging said guideway means for back and forth movement with respect to the fixed
structure, and pivot means (8, 9) connecting the movable panel (2) to the carriage
means (7), such that during movement from the stowed to the display position, the
movable panel (2) initially moves bodily with the carriage means (7) and subsequently
swings with respect to the carriage means (7) and vice versa.
3. A console assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the carriage means (7), the movable
panel (2), and the guideway means (10) are dimensioned such that the movable panel
(2) engages with and is constrained by the guideway means (10) to lie in tandem with
the carriage means (7) in the stowed position and during bodily movement to and from
said stowed position.
4. A console assembly according to Claim 3, wherein releasable detent means (15, 16)
are provided to angularly locate the movable panel (2) and the carriage means (7)
when the tandem position suitable for stowage is adopted and when the angled position
suitable for display is adopted.
5. A console assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the mounting means (7, 10) includes
releasable locking means (21, 22) for holding the carriage means (7) in a position
in which the movable panel (2) is fully stowed.
6. A console assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the fixed structure includes a
display area (1) permanently presented and wherein the movable panel (2), when in
the display position, lies in front of at least part of that area permanently displayed.
7. A console assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the fixed structure includes a
recess (5) within which the movable panel (2) lies when in the stowed position, the
recess having a mouth (6) formed in the permanently presented display area (1) arranged
to be blocked by the edge region (4) when the movable panel (2) is in the stowed position.
8. A console assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the edge region (4) of the movable
panel (2) has a display provided thereon.
9. A console assembly for an aircraft cockpit including a fixed structure having a
display area (1) permanently presented to a crew member, a movable panel (2) having
a flat face region (3) and a flat edge region (4), both of rectangular form, the edge
region (4) being of substantially less area than the face region (3), a recess (5)
in the fixed structure with a mouth (6) formed in the permanently presented display
area (1), mounting means mounting the movable panel (2) on the fixed structure for
movement between a stowed position in which the movable panel (2) lies within the
recess (5) with its edge region (4) presented to the crew member at said recess mouth
(6), and a display position in which its face region is presented to the crew member
in front of the permanently presented display (1).